Happy New Year 2011

Rory and Reagan enjoying Mimo and Papa's Christmas Tree.Papa loves Reagan. Uncle Ben with Reagan.

Reagan in Papa's CLEMSON coat.

Reagan goes to her first Clemson basketball game.

Mimo and Rory in one of Meredith's outfits!

What a year 2010 was for us. I look back and it is a blur but it is a blur with lasting memories especially for me. We had the delight of having my Mom with us from February 1 until September 25 when she went to be with the Lord. She talked about it often and was so assured of her Salvation. She loved her room here. When I go in there now I think about how often she would say "leave the door open so I can enjoy looking out". I think she mainly enjoyed it because she could see a lot of her own furniture and it comforted her. I am grateful to Hospice the last two months because they were able to keep her out of pain. She loved her visits from Monica. It was precious to see her old friends in Chattanooga at her funeral that she loved and I love too.

We also had the joy of seeing more of Meredith and Ben. We were togther with them Christmas 2009 and then they both came to see Mom in June. We are so glad that Reagan and Rory got to meet Mom and get to know her. When they came for the funeral Reagan went into Mom's room looking for her and could not find her. I know she did not understand.

Reagan and Rory are such a complete joy to us. Many told us being Grandparents was life-changing and now we totally understand. When John and I are sitting and eating supper we watch the pictures flash across our computer and we enjoy it so much. We find ourselves talking to the computer and telling the girls we love and miss them. I am so glad we have these pictures and memores to watch when we cannot be with them. I was always close to my grandparents. It was just a 30 minute drive and I was there. I wish things were the same with Reagan and Rory.

John B continues to amaze us with his recovery. He just had his 3rd MRI and it showed no growth of the tumor. He is off medication and is so disciplined about being healthy. We are very proud of him and of Meredith whose faith and undying love and compassion has really encouraged us. They will learn in May of the Air Force's decision about John's future. It is wonderful to know that our God is in perfect control.

Ben continues to work in California. He likes the group he is currently working with and is learning a lot. We are hoping he will be able to come home in the Spring for a vacation. He was blessed to have a family invite him to their home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas which was good for me and comforted us and we did not want himn to be alone.

I have loved seeing sweet friends and meeting for lunch and just talking. What a blessing friends are. I have worked a bit at Propp Drugs during Christmas and have seen many friends that did not even know we had returned to Anderson. I have also been able to make a trip to Columbia to see John's sister, Katherine, and shop. It is only two hours away. John continues to work with the team at Owens Corning to work out the kinks at the Plant and get it to running consistently. I pray for him everyday. John and I both miss Brazil. I find myself thinking in Portuguese often and so does John.

We had many other answers to prayer this year. The sale of Mom's home was our biggest answer. Our wonderful realtor, Claire, would agree with me. It needed so much work yet was approved by FHA for a loan with no repairs. A MIRACLE. We attended my 40th (yes 40th) Class Reunion. I was privileged to see many old friends and to see how many had grown in the Lord. It was heart warming. The Reunion Committee headed by Claire (I don't see how she does it) planned a weekend that was just perfect. Finally, John and I unpacked the last box from Brazil this past weekend after ONE YEAR. I have felt in limbo and it is a settling feeling to feel more organized.

We have lots of room so if you are EVERY close we would love to have you stop by and visit. We miss all of you very much and we are so grateful for your friendship.

September 24, 2010

My first Angel Trumpet!Me with Dabo Swinney 9 23 2010. I look so old next to this young man!Mom has been moved to the Hospice House here in Anderson. It is a wonderful place and very quiet and calm. I believe it is the right situation for her and for me at this point. Another thing is Mom has assurance of her salvation with Jesus so she is ready to go when He calls. I was sitting with her on Thursday and Dabo Swinney, the Head Football Coach at Clemson, came to visit one of the patients. He let me take a picture with him.

When I was in Chattanooga with Mom so much I fell in love with a plant that bloomed every year across the street from Mary Beasley. She told me what they were called (Angel Trumpets) so I bought two plants this year. The hail beat them up really bad but one of them came back and bloomed and surprised me. It was a real treat for me but I am sad that Mom did not get to see it bloom.

I lost a good friend this week. She died suddenly and it has shocked and saddened us all. I don't believe there is anyone on earth that enjoyed being a mother and grandmother as much as Rosemary did. I know they will cherish her love for the rest of their lives. She also leaves many good and dear friends.

John and I will certainly be glad to get some rain as will our yard and the lake here in Anderson. It has been at least 3 weeks since I remember rain. We have yet to get a new roof yet from the big hail storm June 15 but there is time to do the repairs and it will be cooler for the workers too.

Saturday Night Chattanooga Golf & Country Club

Debbie Estes Durham and Fred Rohrdanz 9 11 10 John and Kathy

Fred & Suann Rohrdanz, Kirby & Lee Oldham, Claire & Roger Smith

Debbie & Danny Durham

Barbara & Cyndy

Saturday Night we had the group picture made. We also had a delicious dinner and a great program. The Reunion Committee did an amazing job. The band was incredible and we really enjoyed watching everyone have fun dancing.

Friday Night 40th Brainerd High Reunion Tennis Pavillion

Kathy, Dale & Susie Batchelor 9-10-10 Susie Rawlings Batchelor, Claudia Wood Wamack, Debbie Estes Durham, Kathy Jennings Wells, & Jan Blackburn Hines

Kathy & Cindy Shealy Wilkerson

Kathy, Debbie & Claudia

We had such a wonderful time reconnecting with friends from high school. John was a most patient man but I think he had fun too. There was lots of screaming and hugging and was just a huge blessing to be there for me.

Gary Seithel

Gary Seithel stopped by for a visit on his way back to England via Atlanta. It was such a pleasure to sit and talk and remember the OLD days. Gary was in Colorado Springs when John and I met and he and John have been friends for a long time via Clemson and Bible Studies there. I attached a picture of Gary when he and John took a walking tour of Clemson. Gary had not been in around 15+ years and was surprised at the changes.

Visits with friends

Sam, John, Kathy & Mieko at Outback. Mary, Joe, Wendy, Sam and Mieko at Mary & Joe's. Just like old times!

Mieko and Sam went on a road trip to visit their son in Columbia, South Carolina.

They blessed many of us with visits.

I wanted to post some pictures of their visits with Brazil FRIENDS!

Thank you Mieko and Sam for the visit.

Mimo and Papa

Mimo and Papa with Reagan and Rory.

This is Mimo and Papa with Reagan and Rory!

July 31, 2010

Reagan with her playhouse at Mimo and Papa's house.Reagan let me roll her hair. It was so much fun. Meredith with her friends from Clemson and their 8 children under three years old.

Reagan and Rory in the Well's family chair.Rory is walking. Such a cutie!We had a visit from Meredith, Rory and Reagan while John was at a school in New Mexico. We had such fun. We played outside as much as we could but it was a very hot week. Reagan and Rory have grown up so much. It is hard to believe Rory will be one in August and Reagan three in October. Where has the time gone! We also had a reunion with her friends from Clemson. 5 roommates and 8 babies all under 3. WOW! They have decided the next reunion will be without children so they can actually talk.

July 2, 2010

Pampas Grass. Multiplies by the minute. Does anyone know (besides a bomb) HOW to get rid of it??? The Wedding of Beka and Mike. So beautiful!

Our friends Shirley & Larry Reeves.

Hail 6-15-2010

2 WEEKS with no internet and telephone has about driven us (mainly me) crazy. Every night John and I wanted to look something up on the internet and we couldn't. Fortunately for us there was an understanding person at Charter named Kayla and she finally got us help. We had a TERRIBLE storm June 15 and this is when it all started. 45 minutes of hail and wind. Mom and I had never seen anything like it. We now need a new roof. I have attached a picture of the hail.

We also celebrated the wedding of Beka and Mike. They had the wedding outside and who would have thought it would be such a scorcher on June 5. They had the programs on fans and it was not only brilliant but a life saver. Larry Reeves married them. He also took part in Meredith and John's ceremony. He and Shirley are our good friends.

We are all doing pretty good. Mom is still struggling with the control of her pain but 80% of the time we can get her comfortable. Her 87th birthday is July 5. The plant where John now works is running much better. Thank you for your prayers. It has been a real team effort but so far, so good. John Basel's biopsy results came back benign. They will continue to monitor him every six months with an MRI but for now they are just going to let him slowly get off the medication. They are at The Glen in Colorado Springs (where John and I met) for a Christian conference. They took the girls. I hope they get a good picture of the family there. We have many of John and me 34 years ago. WOW that is a long time. Ben is doing well. He has a good job right now and has prospects of more. They are building a new stadium and adding on to the LAX airport so these are good long term prospects. We are praying he gets one or the other.

I am still sorting through things and the women at Goodwill know me by name. The garage is almost finished. We have one more trip to storage and we will be done. John and I are also going through clothes and getting rid of things we no longer wear. This is adding a lot of space. John's pack rat days are over. = )

The lilies opened up one day and Mom and I just enjoyed it so much!

I brought his English Duck from Brazil and he is happy in the yardLooking at the house.

Looking out from the front porch.

I had to post pictures of our yard. I call it our English Garden. Everyday I walk through the yard and something new has bloomed.

April 19, 2010

Four generations Kathy, Rory, Mom, Meredith and Reagan 2-19-10

Aunt Katherine & Uncle Jim 2-17-10Ben, Meredith & Rory 4-12-10 Ben with Rory and Mom 4 12 10

Rory and her cuteness! Meredith Rory and Mom

Kathy with the Chipmunks!Reagan with all Mom's smurfs and strawberry shortcake's in the bathtub.Just wanted to send some pictures your way and to let you know how things are. We are still not totally settled into our home but we have the yard settled and that was certainly a big job. It sure was worth it. Everyday there is something new springing forth in beauty. I've never seen so many flowers, trees and bushes. I'll try to get a list together someday so you will understand.

We enjoyed a visit from Katherine and Jim. They came to visit Mom but got the surprise to get to see Reagan and Rory at the same time.

John and Meredith just left with Reagan and Rory. We certainly enjoyed our week with them and Meredith and John enjoyed a week of relaxing on their way to a wedding in Florida. I think they needed a break after all they have been through. John's medication has been reduced twice and he is back to work so that is a huge answer to prayer. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Mom is doing better. We have her pain under control and we see her cancer doctor tomorrow. He is the kindest man and has the warmest bedside manner. A perfect man to be a cancer doctor. I will keep you updated. Pray that we can keep her pain under control.

Today our son, Ben, turns 30. Incredible to me as I remember 30 years ago so vividly like it was yesterday. Happy Birthday Ben.

The beauty of Spring 2010

Tulips from our yard.

Blue flox from our yard. The beautiful bradford pear trees. Lovely to see but hard on the allergies!

Everything is blooming and gorgeous here in South Carolina.

We kind of skipped spring and went straight to Summer as today is 88 degrees.

I've taken some good pictures lately of the blossoming South Carolina.

January February 2010

Papa Rory and Reagan share a laugh Clemson Tiger Basketball!

Great-Grandmother Maw with RoryWhat a great profile Rory has! Reagan all ready to get the mail warm in Papa's coat!

Reagan & Rory Resting in Mimo and Papa's bed. 2/28/1Puzzle pieces stuffed in Papa's pocket. Snowflakes on such a sweet face!

I took this picture from the kitchen window. I'm very proud.

Nap time in Mimo's bed!

Unpacking boxes. Spending time with my grandgirls. Spending time straightening our new home. Visiting with old friends. Praying for our son-in-law, John. Freezing. Grocery Shopping.

Going places with Mom. These are just a few of the things I've been doing for the last 3 months.